Accountability in Democratic Institutions

Context

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 28th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC) in New Delhi. He emphasized that the legitimacy of democratic institutions depends on their ability to remain transparent, inclusive, and accountable, especially in the era of Artificial Intelligence and social media.

About Accountability in Democratic Institutions

Definition: Accountability is the ethical obligation of those in power to provide an account of their actions, justify decisions, and face consequences. It is a relational concept where the agent (government) is answerable to the principal (citizens).

Key Features:

Answerability: The duty to explain decisions and provide reliable information to the public.
Enforceability: Mechanisms to penalize misconduct or rectify institutional failures.
Responsiveness: The capacity of institutions to adapt to the evolving needs and feedback of the citizenry.

Importance of Accountability

Fostering Public Trust: Bridges the gap between the rulers and the ruled.
- E.g. The National Critical Mineral Mission (2025) includes transparency clauses to ensure unbiased resource management.
Curbing Corruption: Constant scrutiny prevents the misuse of authority.
- E.g. The 130th Constitution Amendment Bill (2025) proposes the automatic removal of ministers detained for serious crimes.
Enhancing Service Delivery: Ensures welfare benefits reach beneficiaries without leakages.
- E.g. Social audits in MGNREGA have identified and corrected fund distribution irregularities at the grassroots level.
Protecting Marginalized Voices: Accountable systems ensure inclusive deliberation.
- E.g. Speaker Om Birla highlighted that inclusivity is essential to prevent social polarization caused by digital misinformation.
Upholding Rule of Law: Ensures no individual is above the legal framework.
- E.g. The Supreme Court’s 2025 judgment on State Governors’ veto powers reaffirmed that constitutional heads are accountable to the legislative will.

Challenges to Accountability

Misuse of Technology: AI and deepfakes can manipulate public opinion and evade truth.
Opaque Decision Making: Excessive secrecy under the guise of national security hinders public oversight (e.g., delays in RTI applications).
Erosion of Parliamentary Propriety: Frequent disruptions and record suspensions of members reduce the time available for executive scrutiny.
Structural Delays: A slow judicial process with over 5 crore cases pending as of 2025, dilutes the deterrent effect of legal sanctions.
Information Overload: Social media often prioritizes engagement over accuracy, making it harder for citizens to distinguish truth from disinformation.

Way Forward

Strengthening Standing Committees: Empowering "mini-parliaments" to provide technical scrutiny of every major bill and budget.
Adopting Ethical AI Frameworks: Establishing clear guidelines for the responsible use of AI in legislative work.
Institutionalizing Social Audits: Making social audits a mandatory feature for all public departments beyond individual welfare schemes.
Judicial and Electoral Reforms: Ensuring the faster disposal of cases involving public officials to strengthen enforceability.
Deepening Citizen Engagement: Leveraging platforms like MyGov to invite direct feedback on draft policies before they are enacted into law.

Conclusion

True democracy transcends the act of voting; it requires the ongoing ethical conduct of elected representatives. As highlighted at the CSPOC, prioritizing transparency and inclusivity transforms power into a public trust, ensuring that governance remains a service rather than a privilege.

Accountability in Democratic Institutions